RIC VII, NICOMEDIA 159, HELENA, BUST TYPE VARIETY

OBVERSE	FLHELENA-AVGVSTA [FL HELENA AVGVSTA]; head r, diademed, on facing bust in embroiderd robes, with necklace.
REVERSE	SECVRITAS-REIPVBLICE [SECVRITAS REIPVBLICE]; Securitas stg. l., lowering branch and raising robe with l. hand (see CORRIGENDA, VOL. VII, p. 750). SMNΓ in exergue.
NOT IN RIC	BUST TYPE VARIETY. Specimen similar to NICOMEDIA 159 except for bust facing instead of turned right. Note that Helena's bust is usually turned right (cf. for example SISCIA 218, CYZICUS 49, HERACLEA 85 and ALEXANDRIA 38) and type with head turned right on facing bust is similar to the type found on Galeria Valeria coins (see THESSALONICA 36). See also Bruun's footnote to NICOMEDIA 95: "The attribution of the Helena coins to the two SMNA series [i.e. NICOMEDIA 95 and NICOMEDIA 159] is difficult, but in accordance with Voetter [...] the author has reffered the diadem consisting of a single pearl string to the earlier series" (p. 615).

NOTES

Weight 2.80 g; diameter 19 mm. Coin sold on eBay in January 2018 for GBP 52.01. Other specimens: - sold on Savoca Numismatik 124th Silver Auction (lot 640) in January 2022 for EUR 160; sold on Numismatik Naumann auction 116 (lot 1061) in May 2022 for EUR 80; weight 2.80 g; diameter 19 mm [click for picture]; - sold on Numismatik Naumann auction 115 (lot 1017) in April 2022 for EUR 110; weight 3.18 g; diameter 21 mm [click for picture]; - sold on Numismatik Naumann auction 88 (lot 801) in April 2020 for EUR 45; weight 2.02 g; diameter 19 mm [click for picture]; - sold on VAuctions sale 273 (lot 471) in November 2011 for USD 210; weight 2.50 g; diameter 18 mm [click for picture]; - sold on Pegasi Numismatics auction 29 (lot 638) in November 2013 for USD 175; weight 2.85 g [click for picture]; - sold on eBay in September 2019 for EUR 88; weight 2.14 g; diameter 18 mm [click for picture]; - sold on eBay in January 2014 for EUR 24; weight 2.97 g; diameter 18 mm [click for picture]; - sold on eBay in October 2015 for EUR 15.50; weight 2.60 g; diameter 18 mm [click for picture]; - sold on eBay in May 2015 for EUR 15.50; weight 3.01 g [click for picture]; - sold on Savoca Numismatik 157th Blue Auction (lot 1412) in February 2023 for EUR 12; weight 2.11 g; diameter 19 mm [click for picture]; - sold on eBay in March 2017 for EUR 22.50; weight 3.21 g; diameter 19 mm [click for picture]; - sold on eBay in November 2011 for USD 51.46; now in a private German collection; weight 3.10 g; diameter 19 mm [click for picture]; - from FORVM ANCIENT COINS; weight 3.028 g; diameter 18.4 mm [click for picture]; - from Berk Buy or Bid Sale 215 (lot 266), May 2021; weight 2.70 g [click for picture]; - from Saint Paul Antiques auction 13 (lot 626), November 2017; weight 2.66 g; diameter 19 mm [click for picture]; - sold on Savoca Numismatik 102nd blue auction (lot 1385) in May 2021 for EUR 12; weight 2.60 g; diameter 18 mm [click for picture]; - from a private collection; weight 3.24 g; diameter 18-19 mm [click for picture].